Are Video Games Sexist?

Not at all what I was expecting. I thought I was going to watch something that was going to make my blood boil.
 
Huh, that was strangely, and surprisingly... affirming. I mean that's good; there needs to be more balanced affirmations like this on both sides of the "gender debate." For once I agree with Steve - if there is one video to watch today, watch this one.
 
Nice to see something from a true feminist. I don't know why Camille Pagila hasn't weighed in. Her obsession with culture seems quite important. Additionally, I'd like to hear her opinion regarding video games as art.
 
Probably one of the most balanced videos about video game sexism and violence in video games. WE CAN'T HAVE THIS!
 
Good video. Props to her for doing some research and not just jumping to conclusions like some other people have done.
 
I can already hear the patter of thousands of MacBook keyboards around the nation posting social justice rage to dismiss this video and bury it as "just an opinion".
 
I actually think her channel name is a dig too

FACTUAL feminist.

You mean, a feminist who actually USES FACTUAL information?!? HOLY CRAP! Take that Anita!
 
I have clashed with Steve in the past, but i must excuse me and thank him profusely for finding this.

It is exactly what i needed to share with some pals specially with what has happened in the last couple of weeks. Facts, not name calling, no straw arguments...
 
Well, feminists believe there aren't more female gamers because games aren't developed for them. While this video more or less states there aren't games developed for female gamers because they (by and large) aren't interested in playing video games and thus are not worth the investment.

I suspect this is where the concern-o-crats out there(loved that term) will argue her points. Comes down to "Do woman not game for the same reason most guys don't wear makeup and play with dolls?" or "Do they not game because there simply aren't any choices out there".

I side with the former, but all the feminists out there side with the latter and that will be where they critique this video.
 
If you love the video, follow Christina H Sommers on twitter. She's an actual SANE Feminist and blows the typical tumblr, men-hating feminists out of the water constantly. She also debunks common feminist myths and garbage statistics people spew. Her twitter is @CHSommers. She's not the feminist we need, but the feminist we deserve.
 
Someone get Azureth this womens twitter and youtube channels, so he can listen to a real feminist.
 
There's a good example of a strong intelligent woman who doesn't succumb to the lazy ways of self-victimization that is so prone in our society (in both genders)...
 
Good vid. I always welcome well thought discussions.

I have nothing but praise for the feminist movement and am all for gender equality. What I totally can't stand is pure sexism under the guise of feminism. When you're a feminist because of bad experiences and deep down all men are pigs and assholes, you aren't a feminist, you're a scared sexist.
 
Sorry but the American Enterprise Institute is a conservative think tank. Taking that at face value is no better than asking Bill Clinton the definition of the word "is".

I went ahead and decided to listen to some of the other videos just to make sure I wasn't applying my own bias and some of the things said their were often factually incorrect.
 
Well, feminists believe there aren't more female gamers because games aren't developed for them. While this video more or less states there aren't games developed for female gamers because they (by and large) aren't interested in playing video games and thus are not worth the investment.

I suspect this is where the concern-o-crats out there(loved that term) will argue her points. Comes down to "Do woman not game for the same reason most guys don't wear makeup and play with dolls?" or "Do they not game because there simply aren't any choices out there".

I side with the former, but all the feminists out there side with the latter and that will be where they critique this video.

I think a true feminist should be focusing on the concept of guys don't wear makeup and play with dolls, and girls don't play video games, because society conditions them against it, gender rolls, etc. To solely point the finger at media itself is quite the cop-out IMO. Sarkeesian and some others sound like they place all the blame on the media, and the developers behind it, as if your average, mature person is too weak-minded to be exposed to something and not immediately emulate it.

No AAA-developer is going to create some game that the large demographics do not want to play, that would be an incredibly idiotic thing to do financially. I'm not sure why the blame always falls on these developers, they are there to make money, period. If you want change, the problem is far deeper than what you can see on TV or what you can buy at the store. It really comes down to how we are raised.
 
Holy cow!
She made sense!
That is one of the most well thought out and plainly stated declarations of the state of gaming ever made by ANY side!
 
There are more women playing video games than before, and that's prefectly fine by me. But it is the same way there are more women reading and watching Marvel or more Bronies. It is not something society associates with the gender, and as such less are into it, and those who do are sometimes ridiculed for it, but all in all it should be perfectly acceptable.

I believe in gender equality. And gender equality does not mean that everything needs to be a 50/50 male to female ratio, but that all should be accepting of both sexes.

Yet, while nowadays a girl playing wearing an Ironman shirt is awesome, a guy wearing a barbie shirt will still get an immesurable amount of flak.

As for video games, I do believe female charcters should wear more armor in quite many games and that boobs are much more alluring when they dont look like they're about to burst. There is a lot of sexyness in subtlety.
 
Sorry but the American Enterprise Institute...

...has nothing to do with Christina Hoff Sommers' reputation. But hey, if you're fine with making excuses for not listening to people with different opinions than you because you're closed-minded, Godspeed!
 
I'd like to link this around the internet, but without knowing what else she vlogs, that might be trouble. She could easily be a crazy. Nevertheless, this particular video is right on the money.
 
After doing some simple research, if the Wikipedia article is accurate, for a "conservative thinktank", they are awfully moderate:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Enterprise_Institute#Controversies

I mean if that's the most controversial things they've done, they're practically the saints of conservative-land. I consider myself a moderate that has watched the nation polarize, and its refreshing to find a group calling itself conservative that's still in the middle.
 
Great vid. I think everyone gets caught up in man-bites-dog, until they see it as normal. Reality is much more boring, and garners much fewer views/hits so no one wants to cover that angle.
 
Good video but a little long-winded. It's obviously true that studies that show female gamers now outnumbering males are based on large numbers of females playing games like candy crush and angry birds, etc. I still don't necessarily feel that those female gamers should be so quickly dismissed. Those phone games aren't really all that different from many games "regular gamers" used to play on their old Nintendo, etc. Either way I do agree that whatever issues and disparities still exist, are not a result of sexism or discrimination.
 
Interesting video but in my opinion just an attempt to to get publicity (again).
 
If you love the video, follow Christina H Sommers on twitter. She's an actual SANE Feminist and blows the typical tumblr, men-hating feminists out of the water constantly. She also debunks common feminist myths and garbage statistics people spew. Her twitter is @CHSommers. She's not the feminist we need, but the feminist we deserve.

While I liked the video, I'm most deffinitly not into feminism (I don't there's many men there are lol) so no following to her from me :p
 
Yet, while nowadays a girl playing wearing an Ironman shirt is awesome, a guy wearing a barbie shirt will still get an immesurable amount of flak./QUOTE]

I think that depends on context. Sure we (I'm assuming you're a guy) would think its awesome, but that same girl's female friends might give her the same kind of flak. Although, I've never seen someone close to my age on either side still into Barbie, though sadly I cannot say the same about My Little Pony...


As for video games, I do believe female charcters should wear more armor in quite many games and that boobs are much more alluring when they dont look like they're about to burst. There is a lot of sexyness in subtlety.

If you all of the sudden correct it, you then get the 'WOMEN CAN BE SEXUAL AND STRONG!' crowd riled up.
 
(Oh and I don't mean I'm against women's rights, I'm all for them, it's just I don't want to follow somebody in a area I'm not interested in).
 
Sorry but the American Enterprise Institute is a conservative think tank. Taking that at face value is no better than asking Bill Clinton the definition of the word "is".

I went ahead and decided to listen to some of the other videos just to make sure I wasn't applying my own bias and some of the things said their were often factually incorrect.
Phew, thanks for the warning. I almost listened to a rational argument and took it seriously, but now that I know the source is conservative, I'll be sure to disregard it.
 
I think that depends on context. Sure we (I'm assuming you're a guy) would think its awesome, but that same girl's female friends might give her the same kind of flak.

She'll mostly get flak for being a geek just like we do, not as much for liking "guy things".
 
Sorry but the American Enterprise Institute is a conservative think tank. Taking that at face value is no better than asking Bill Clinton the definition of the word "is".

I went ahead and decided to listen to some of the other videos just to make sure I wasn't applying my own bias and some of the things said their were often factually incorrect.
CHSommers is actually a "registered Democrat with libertarian leanings."
https://twitter.com/CHSommers/status/512223300828012545
Phew, thanks for the warning. I almost listened to a rational argument and took it seriously, but now that I know the source is conservative, I'll be sure to disregard it.
:rolleyes:
:D
 
Great vid, gotta admit as soon as I heard "Feminist" the picture of the typical "man hating fem" instantly sprung to mind. Nice to see there are still "True" feminist out there who aren't psychopaths.
 
Women making sense! Feminists like these have their heads screwed on straight! It is so refreshing. My wife is no stupido, either, come to think of it...;) [j/k] Women using their heads with no axes to grind are...very attractive!...;)
 
Sorry but the American Enterprise Institute is a conservative think tank. Taking that at face value is no better than asking Bill Clinton the definition of the word "is".

Well, that all depends on what "is" is. :D
 
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